Superkitty and a parade

Today Alex got to go to Build a Bear for the first time for his friend Bailey's 4th birthday party. He did really well working with the lady from the store and getting along with the other kids. He ended up making a kitty in a superman costume. I think that he was most excited about the kitty sized play ipod that he got (mommy got a new nano as an early Christmas present from daddy).

This evening another friend of Alex's, Anna, was in the Chandler Light Parade and Joe and I took the kids to go see it. I think that Alex had a fun time seeing the floats. (the picture of Abbie hanging to the side was because she was playing peek a boo with Joe who was behind me)

Getting Ready To Go

On Tuesday we leave for our big month long adventure to Wyoming and St. Lucia. I am not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it will be nice to see my friend and it will be nice to have a mommy break in St Lucia. On the other hand I have never left my children for this length of time and Abbie is still breastfeeding. Also I am worried about the weather in the Tetons, I don't like being cold so I am not sure how I am going to do. I just keep reminding myself that I am lucky to have the opportunity to leave town on vacation for such a length of time. I also tell myself that Suzy will do a great job of taking care of my kids for me and that I am very grateful to her for being willing to watch them so I can go to my brother's wedding. So far I have a 4 page excell list of the things that I need to bring. I am seriously worried that it all won't fit into the back of my Xterra. (I just ordered a roof top carrier to use, it should be here Monday). Wish me luck, I feel much better now that I ordered that carrier.

Aunt Jean's Wassail

A few years ago when visiting Joe's Aunt Jean in Missouri she made Wassail for us. I loved it and I am not a fan of hot drinks. I have made it a couple of times since then for my family and the other day my mom was asking for the recipe. I thought I would share it with you.

Wassail

2 quarts apple juice
2 Cups orange juice
2 1/4 Cup pineapple juice
1 Cup lemon juice
1/2 Cup sugar
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon cloves

Simmer covered for 20 minutes, then simmer uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, strain and serve warm.

Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving

To all of you in the US Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you had a wonderful day with your family and friends and good food. Today it was 79 degrees here and we spent the day with my husband's family. I made Pioneer Woman's Sweet Potatoes and A mexican sweet corn pudding (this is a similar recipe). I thought I would share a few things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my two beautiful and healthy children who taught me that love is something so huge that it can't truly be put into words.

I am thankful for my husband who loves me very much.

I am thankful that I have everything I could ever need in life and most everything that I could ever want also.

I am thankful for my family who I know will always be there for me, even if they don't always agree with me.

I am thankful for all of my wonderful friends that are so generous, selfless, and giving and show me the kids of person that I strive to be.

Thank you all!

More craftiness

Here are the last two things I have been working on both are going to be given as gifts. They are from the same idea as the joy wall hangings from last year (which I apparently did not take a picture of, sorry). I have made several of the love hangings so multiple people will be getting them.

Crafty Stuff

It has been far too long since I have posted anything crafty so here goes. Top photo of Abbie and her little friend on Halloween in mommy made outfits. Second photo is Abbie coloring with crayons for the first time. Third photo is of Alex making holiday picture frames with his two friends at my friend's house last Sunday. Fourth photo is of the Barbie themed gifts for the two girls pictured in the previous photo. Each will get a bag, 2 pillowcases and a crayon roll. Last photo is of the cloth shopping bags that I am using instead of gift wrap this year. I have more to share but blogger wouldn't let me put them in this post so I will have to make another post.

Everyone's sick

We went to a birthday party Saturday night and so far there are 3 kids and 2 adults that have come down with a nasty stomach virus. Poor sweet Abbie girl woke up at 4:30 on Sunday morning and was repeatedly sick so I took her to the ER and she was dehydrated enough that they admitted her for IV fluids. She is home now and doing much better, although while I was in the hospital with her her dad was home with her brother who was sick also. Now my husband is sick too and I am just hoping that I will be spared (although my karma account is pretty low right now). So please send your good thoughts to my poor sick kids and husband and hope that we don't infect anyone else.